Author: Margaret Willard

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Flagstaff ‘Tunnel Fire’ almost contained

A wildfire that started on Easter Sunday north of Flagstaff recently merged with another wildfire and has since grown to engulf just under 20,000 acres.

Almost 800 people have evacuated, and more than 1,000 animals have been misplaced. The blaze, known as the Tunnel Fire, is said to have destroyed over 200 structures and buildings, including Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, which was created to protect Sunset Crater.

As of May 5, 2022, the fire has been 95% contained, but firefighters believe it is important to stay vigilant during this season and as wildfires continue to rage in surrounding states.

– Amanda Fox, The 100 Companies

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‘Together for Mental Health’ in May

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is taking the spotlight this month as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month.

Now located in 49 states, NAMI “provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.” 

Throughout May, the organization aims to combine and amplify the voices of all mental health advocates. They are providing opportunities for people to share their personal experiences relating to mental health and are even taking to social media with the hashtag, #MHAM to help share the message that we are better “Together for Mental Health.” 

– Amanda Fox, The 100 Companies

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Arizona has a Stupid Motorist Law, and I love it

Every state has stupid motorists, but Arizona is one of the few brave enough to punish them. Well, within a specific context, at least.

Appearing in section 28-910 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the Stupid Motorist Law states that if you deliberately drive past barricades to enter a flooded stretch of road and you get stuck, you have to cover the cost of your rescue – not the Arizona taxpayer.

Granted, it’s rarely enforced – but surely the mere threat of being fined and branded a Stupid Motorist in court has deterred a few goofballs with too much trust in their SUVs.

– Chris Butsch, Contributor

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Celebrating Mother’s Day around Phoenix

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8 and moms around Phoenix are in for a treat. Here are four events you don’t want to miss:

• Momapalooza at the Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale Sunday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, games, food, and fun.

• Mother’s Day at the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale offers a decadent brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with live music and beautiful weather. Reservations recommended.  

• Celebrate with your pup at Mother’s Day Doga (Dog Yoga) at the Phoenix Hotel 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

• Mother’s Day at Desert Botanical Garden in Tempe hosts an all-day event May 8-10 with music, complimentary photos and Chihuly sculptures.

– Amanda Fox, The 100 Companies

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My postcard from Poland: remarkable humans

My wife and I jumped in an Uber in Warsaw, Poland a couple of weeks ago. As you might expect, our driver was from Ukraine.

“The Polish people are too kind to us, give Ukranians so much help, help we can never repay,” he said. He wasn’t telling us anything we didn’t already see ourselves.

We stayed in a 100-year-old luxury hotel that was buzzing with humanitarian workers. I befriended several of them as they worked tirelessly to assist Ukrainian refugees, with a special focus on helping minors without parents get connected with another family member somewhere in the world.

– Jeff Arnold, President, RightSure

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Arizona’s Navajo and the Long Walk

In the mid-1800s, the government forced Navajo people to flee Arizona and head toward New Mexico. Over 50 deportation walks occurred during that time, but the Long Walk to Bosque Redondo was the most historical. 

In 1864, after being threatened by the government, the Navajo people began the 18-day journey. The group was unequipped and uninformed, and as a result, at least 200 people died.

Throughout their journey, some Navajo people fled, some were captured and turned into slaves, and of those who made it to New Mexico, approximately 9,000 were forced to settle on 40 square miles of land.

– Amanda Fox, The 100 Companies

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Must-read books for aspiring marketers

If you’re looking to break into the world of marketing, it might be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start.

With a seemingly infinite number of niches, the marketing sphere can quickly get confusing for newcomers. Should you specialize in content, social media, influencers, all the above or something else entirely?

Thankfully, this field has experts who have already done the research, and their books are must-reads for aspiring marketers:

• “Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist” by Sally Hogshead

• “Content Inc.: Start a Content-First Business…” by Joe Pulizzi

• “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” by Jonah Berger

– Taylor Lawrence, The Oklahoma 100

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Refreshing Mother’s Day brunch cocktails

Are you hosting brunch to celebrate the special women in your life? Spice up your menu with one of these unique and refreshing cocktails:

• Mimosa Granita – Mix fresh orange juice, champagne, sugar, water and ice. If you swap the champagne with vodka, it becomes Frozen Screw Driver Granita.

• Sangria Dole Whip – Heat blackberries, water and sugar. Cool the mixture. Blend with red wine and juices until smooth. You can also use your ice cream maker!

• Fleur de Paradis – Mix gin, elderflower liqueur, juice, syrup, orange bitters and ice in a shaker until well-chilled. Top with champagne and garnish.

– Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, The Southwest Florida 100

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New oil discovery in offshore Guyana

ExxonMobil’s discoveries in Barreleye-1, Patwa-1 and Lukanani-1 potentially increase the estimate of recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block by nearly 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. This brings the company’s total discoveries offshore of Guyana in 2022 to five, validating its exploration strategy.

ExxonMobil currently has four sanctioned projects offshore Guyana. Liza Phase 1 produces around 130,000 barrels per day. Liza Phase 2, which started production in February, is steadily increasing to 220,000 barrels per day. Both Paraya and Yellowtail will add 220,000 and 250,000 barrels per day, respectively, once they go online. Paraya is targeted by year-end 2023 while Yellowtail is 2025.

– Cyndee Woolley, The Southwest Florida 100

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2021 Toyota Supra isn’t many things, but it’s so much more

Toyota Supra video review

When Toyota announced the new Supra, the successor to the icon Paul Walker drove in The Fast & The Furious, fans were not pleased.

To them, the fifth-gen Supra was a letdown, and they lamented everything the car isn’t. It isn’t a manual, it isn’t a 2JZ engine; heck, it isn’t even really a Toyota (it’s mostly made from BMW parts)!

But this car is so, so much more than it isn’t. It is a BMW M car with a Toyota warranty for over $15,000 less than an M2 – it is a stunning head-turner – and finally, it is blissful to drive.

Check out my 100-second video review shot and edited by Grant Lewis Films.

– Chris Butsch, Contributor